Overview
ISO 8486-1:1996 specifies a laboratory method for determining and designating the grain size distribution of macrogrits (F4 to F220) used in bonded abrasives. It covers fused aluminium oxide and silicon carbide grains used for manufacturing bonded abrasive products and for checking grains extracted from those products. The standard defines sampling, equipment, test procedure (sieve analysis) and how to interpret results against normalized limits.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope: Determination/checking of macrogrits F4–F220 in fused aluminium oxide and silicon carbide for bonded abrasives.
- Sampling and sample mass: Use statistically representative samples in accordance with ISO 9138; typical test sample specified as 100 g and must be dry (dry at 105 °C to constant mass if necessary).
- Apparatus:
- Sieve shaker machine compliant with ISO 9284.
- Control sieves with mesh openings per ISO 3310‑1.
- Balance with precision ±0.1 g.
- Timer able to run for 5 minutes with ±5 s accuracy.
- Procedure:
- Assemble the sieve column for the grain size being tested; place the coarsest sieve on top and the finest at the bottom with the receptacle below.
- Pour the sample into the top sieve, run the sieve shaker for 5 minutes, and weigh material retained on each sieve in sequence.
- Acceptance and interpretation:
- Table 2 of the standard gives permissible calibration limits for each F-size; a sample is conforming if the percentage retained on each control sieve falls within those limits.
- Table 3 provides allowable deviations to account for measurement uncertainty (e.g., +/‑ values used when verifying production or delivery results).
- Designation: A grain is designated by the abrasive type and the F-number (for example: Silicon carbide - F80).
Applications and Who Uses It
- Quality control and incoming inspection in bonded abrasives manufacturing.
- Test laboratories performing sieve analysis for abrasive grains.
- Suppliers and purchasers specifying or verifying grain size distribution for product conformity.
- R&D and process engineers optimizing abrasive performance for grinding, polishing and related operations.
Related Standards
- ISO 8486-2:1996 - complementary part covering microgrits (F230 to F7200).
- ISO 9138 - sampling and division of abrasive grains.
- ISO 9284 - requirements for sieve shaker machines.
- ISO 3310-1 - specifications for test sieves (mesh openings).
Keywords: ISO 8486-1:1996, bonded abrasives, grain size distribution, macrogrits F4 to F220, fused aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, sieve analysis, ISO 9138, ISO 9284, ISO 3310-1.